I lost my job, well I didn’t lose it, I know where it is, there’s just some other guy doing it now. – Bobcat Goldthwait
Working in the French Quarter service industry can create tight friendships among co-workers. We count on each other and cover for each other. Years in the trenches together sometimes end when one co-worker moves on. We promise to stay in contact, but sadly we usually drift apart. A former work buddy sticking their head in for a little “hello” can bring smiles to everyone. A quick update, a little bit of gossip and a reminder of why we liked each other.
Those visits should happen more, only IF the former employee leaves on good terms. They give in plenty of notice and work just as hard on their last two weeks as they did on their first two weeks. If the employer shakes their hand and says, “You’re always welcome to come back to your old job at any time.” Ideal departure.
If an employee quits a job with no notice or with high drama, perhaps they shouldn’t comeback, even as a customer. Show a little self-awareness. If you are 86’d as an employee, you probably shouldn’t consider yourself a welcomed patron either — especially if you were fired. I’d be damned if my dumb ass got fired from a business, I’d then go back to spend money earned from my current position. I have seen it happen for years.
“Oh, I just came back to visit with my good friend who works here!” If you really are good friends, they can come visit you at your new job or you can arrange to get together somewhere else. If you were actually fired from your job, then there is a very good likelihood that the rest of your co-workers weren’t as fond of you as you think.
Think about all of those who you have worked with over the years that have been out and out fired, did you really miss them? Most of the time it’s those remaining workers who think “About time, we have been carrying their ass and putting up with their bullshit too long.” If your boss thinks that you are a lousy employee, probably everyone else thinks it too. If your “good friend” still works there, then odds are they were the 2nd worst worker.
“Just getting caught up” quickly evolves into workplace gossip, talking shit about the other workers, talking more shit about the business and the boss. Malicious words to portray yourself as a victim of an “unjust firing” and to lay seeds of discontent among the remaining staff. Perhaps that one person is happy to see you (or is only pretending to be) while the rest quietly whisper: “How can they show their face in here?”
It’s really cringe and has a “stalky” feel to it, like always showing up where your ex is.
